CALIFORNIA — Law enforcement up and down the Golden State arrested nearly 550 people in connection with a week-long human trafficking sting, authorities announced Tuesday in Los Angeles.

In the process, police rescued 11 children and 166 adults believed to be the victims of human trafficking. The operation dubbed “Operation Reclaim & Rebuild,” involved 107 law enforcement agencies and numerous advocacy groups, authorities announced at a press conference in Downtown Los Angeles Tuesday.

The operation is a statewide initiative focused on rescuing victims of sexual slavery and human trafficking and disrupting the trade by arresting suspected customers and traffickers. The operation was conducted Jan. 26 through Saturday.

“Human traffickers are essentially modern-day slave masters who should be on clear notice that we will find them, arrest them, prosecute them, and seek maximum time behind bars for their despicable acts of preying on young girls and boys,” said Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Nochman. “This is not a threat but a promise. Every case stemming from this operation presented to our office’s Human Sex Trafficking Section will be thoroughly reviewed for filing consideration. Our fight against this injustice is unwavering, and we will continue to stand firm until human trafficking is eradicated from our streets.”

The arrests come during National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The press conference in Downtown Los Angles took place on Figueroa Street, one of the most notorious child-sex trafficking hubs in the nation.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, 333 suspected exploiters were arrested. The 11 minors rescued from possible exploiters were placed in protective custody and will receive support from the Department of Children and Family Services, authorities announced.

“While we gather today to discuss the successful efforts of the LAPD and the 103 other dedicated law enforcement agencies from Northern and Southern California, the true success should be measured by what these numbers represent – a future restored and a victory for justice,” said LAPD Chief of Police Jim McDonnell.

“In just this 7-day period, LAPD efforts resulted in 205 arrests. Specifically, our actions saved one 14-year-old, three 15-year-olds, one 16-year-old, and two 17-year-olds from lives that were being exploited by abuse and danger. These results underscore that when law enforcement, government agencies, advocacy groups, and community members join forces, we can make a difference.”

Arrests were made up and down the state with the FBI, California Highway Patrol, the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, the Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Task Force, Napa County Sheriff’s Department and San Francisco Police Department.